"A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion
are the things which renew humanity"

Buddha

The Esteemed Sponsor Program

It is here that we honor our stalwart supporters - those who have kept the food
bank glued together with their committment to provide us with a stable source of income. Take a look back to 2002, and see
how we've grown and who is still with us now.

In 2001, the food bank's cupboards were scantily stocked and much of
that was out dated cans and packages. We had less than $1,000 in the bank. Donations for the past year had totaled only $2,500,
with CAFFREY's Restaurant donating $1,500 of the that. One other sponsor, local attorney Art Stein, was also a steady contributor
but despite their support, it became apparent that we'd have to discontinue the food bank program.

If we only had
more sponsors, we reasoned, maybe we could keep the program going. Because despite our meager and often inadequate offerings,
the needy came.

Many of them were the elderly, who might have to eat tea and toast for dinner that last week if we
were not there for them. Or parents unable to offer milk & cereal, peanut butter & jelly or protein at dinner time
to their children.

So we devised the "Esteemed Sponsor" program and via letters and fliers invited participation from
those in the community who would share their resources with those less fortunate.

Each sponsor commits to supporting
one family for one year by contributing $20 monthly, or $240 per family. This enables us to buy a $10. food certificate to
ShopRite and $10 worth of supplemental food not normally collected in food drives.

The esteemed sponsors have increased
from 13 in 2002, to 28 in 2003, 39 in 2004, 47 in 2005, 49 in 2006 , 70 in 2007 , 82 in 2008, 99 in 2009, 100
in 2010, 103 in 2011 ,105 in 2012. and then sadly, a drop to 89 in 2013 and 100 in 2014.. And we need each
and every one of you because also in 2014, the list of clients rose to an all time high of 290 clients. The aftermath
of Sandy is still with us with several clients affected with housing woes.

The goal is to enlist one sponsor for each family, but some sponsor several
families, so we are almost 1\2 of the way there. Let's hope the committment to this program remains steadfast
and grows.

Many sponsors renew their commitment every month as part of our favorite group
"The Monthlies". You can send a check each month or if you have an online bill paying arrangement with your bank, you can
arrange to have it automatically done for you.

Four esteemed sponsors took advantage of their employer's matching funds
for charity programs to double their gifts. Check it out with your employer, even if you are retired and request a form to fill
out so that our contribution will be matched by them. CNA Foundation, Ocean First, Home Depot, Wells Fargo,
Bank of Americq and Mobile Exxon Corp are all employers who match their employees and retirees donations. You
may also donate via regular payroll deductions to the United Way, designating the Lacey Food Bank as the recipient.